The Kalmar Smartrail has been installed without interrupting the normal workings of the terminal.

Using differential global positioning system (DGPS) technology, Smartrail steers the RTG along ‘invisible’ tracks, relieving the driver of the need to steer and allowing him to travel at maximum speed between lifts and to concentrate fully on picking up and setting down containers.

An integrated position detection system (PDS) increases speed and efficiency by automatically logging the new position of a container after it has been placed in the stack or moved from one position to another.

 

Already one of the most efficient container handling terminals in the region, PTP’s move to instal the Kalmar Smartrail system is a major step in further increasing the port’s efficiency.

 

PTP chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Sidik Shaik Osman said: “With this system, PTP will be able to ensure that the highest productivity standards will be met, thus enhancing the status of the port.

 

“PTP presently handles the world’s largest container vessels, but current orders by lines are increasing today’s sizes and, as such, increasing pressure on terminals,’’ he added.

 

Mohd Sidik added that since PTP handled 2.51mil TEUs from January to September, the terminal expected to record a full-year figure of over 3mil TEUs and, as such, uninterrupted work in the terminal was crucial.

The Smartrail system is simple to install and maintain since there are no civil works such as buried wires, transponders or painted lines to be maintained.

Installation of the Smartrail system is also extremely friendly as it causes very little disturbance to the normal operation in the container terminal.

 

Kalmar’s Smartrail also works as a container position verification system; each time the spreader twist locks are activated, the yard management system is automatically updated and the new position of the handled container is recorded.

This provides significant improvements in operation quality and less time is spent looking for lost or misplaced containers.

With both Maersk Sealand and Evergreen having their regional South East Asian hubs in PTP, the Malaysian port has grown rapidly since it was officially opened in January 2000.

With its 2003 throughput, it expects to enter the world’s top 20 ports league and with the completion of PTP Phase Two in July 2004, it will have a potential capacity of six million TEUs per annum.

Kalmar has also successfully installed the system in Jebel Ali for Dubai Ports Authority (DPA).